Notice2026-10166

Marine Mammals and Endangered Species

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
May 21, 2026

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 29942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10166]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XF740]


Marine Mammals and Endangered Species

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits, including permit amendments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued under the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA), as applicable.

ADDRESSES: The permits and related documents are available for review 
upon written request via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#115f5c57423f416320527e7c7c747f6562517f7e70703f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="347a7972671a644605775b5959515a4047745a5b55551a535b42">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith, Ph.D. (File Nos. 
24378, 29471, and 29565), Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. (File Nos. 23966, 
29070, and 29154), Amy Hapeman (File No. 29017), and Jennifer Skidmore 
(File No. 28985); at (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested permits have been issued under 
the MMPA of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations 
governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), 
the ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), as 
applicable. Notices were published in the Federal Register on the dates 
listed below that requests had been submitted. To locate the Federal 
Register notice that announced our receipt of the application and a 
complete description of the activities, go to <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov">https://www.federalregister.gov</a> and search for the file number provided in 
table 1 below.

                                             Table 1--Issued Permits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Previous Federal
    File No.       Version No.            RTID              Applicant       Register notice      Issuance date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23966..........  01.............  0648-XB412.........  Christopher         86 FR 50704,       April 29, 2026.
                                                        Cilfone, Kohola     September 10,
                                                        Film Project, 61    2021.
                                                        Loa Place,
                                                        Lahaina, HI 96761.
24378..........  02.............  0648-XE954.........  University of       90 FR 23519, June  April 17, 2026.
                                                        Alaska Southeast-   3, 2025.
                                                        Sitka, 1332
                                                        Seward Avenue,
                                                        Sitka, AK 99835
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: Jan
                                                        Straley).
28985..........  N/A............  0648-XF551.........  Minnesota           91 FR 8467,        April 29, 2026.
                                                        Zoological          February 23,
                                                        Gardens, 13000      2026.
                                                        Zoo Boulevard,
                                                        Apple Valley, MN
                                                        55124
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: John
                                                        Frawley).
29017..........  N/A............  0648-XF059.........  Alaska Department   90 FR 44648,       April 22, 2026.
                                                        of Fish and Game,   September 16,
                                                        P.O. Box 25526,     2025.
                                                        Juneau, AK 99802
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: Lori
                                                        Quakenbush,
                                                        Ph.D.).
29070..........  N/A............  0648-XF512.........  University of       91 FR 5729,        April 8, 2026.
                                                        Florida, 2015       February 9, 2026.
                                                        Southwest 16th
                                                        Avenue,
                                                        Gainesville, FL
                                                        32608
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: Michael
                                                        Walsh, DVM).
29154..........  N/A............  0648-XF513.........  Briana Witteveen,   91 FR 5726,        April 29, 2026.
                                                        Ph.D., University   February 9, 2026.
                                                        of Alaska
                                                        Fairbanks, 4422
                                                        SE 50th Avenue,
                                                        Portland, OR
                                                        97206.
29471..........  N/A............  0648-XF419.........  Fort Wayne Zoo,     91 FR 5928,        April 15, 2026.
                                                        3411 Sherman        February 10,
                                                        Boulevard, Fort     2026.
                                                        Wayne, IN 46808
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: Rick
                                                        Schuiteman).
29565..........  N/A............  0648-XF543.........  Mission Partners    91 FR 12172,       April 29, 2026.
                                                        Entertainment       March 12, 2026.
                                                        Group, 5500
                                                        Greenwood Plaza
                                                        Boulevard,
                                                        Greenwood
                                                        Village, CO 80111
                                                        (Responsible
                                                        Party: Greg
                                                        Eliason).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    As required by the ESA, as applicable, issuance was based on a 
finding that such permits: (1) were applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: May 18, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10166 Filed 5-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on May 21, 2026.

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